HOARY MARMOT. 
19 
Maryland Marmot, the original specimen, above mentioned, having been 
lost. Harlan says of it, “ This specimen was supposed to have come from 
the northern parts of North America.” Godman does not mention it. 
Dr. Richardson quotes Pennant’s description, and states that he did not 
himself obtain a specimen ; but “ if correct” in considering it as the same 
as the Whistler of Harmon, “ we may soon hope to know more of it, for 
the traders who annually cross the Rocky Mountains from Hudson’s Bay 
to the Columbia and New Caledonia are well acquainted with it.” He 
also mentions that one, (Harmon’s Whistler, we presume) which was pro- 
cured for him by a gentleman, was so much injured that he did not think 
it lit to be sent.” The Doctor then gives the following account of it, and 
appears to have been quite correct in supposing it identical with the 
animal referred to by Harmon : “ The Whistler inhabits the Rocky Moun- 
tains from latitude 45° to 62°, and probably farther both ways : it is not 
found in the lower parts of the country. It burrows in sandy soil, 
generally on the sides of grassy hills, and may be frequently seen cutting 
hay in the autumn, but whether for the purpose of laying it up for food, or 
merely for lining its burrows, I did not learn. While a party of them are 
thus occupied, they have a sentinel on the lookout upon an eminence, who 
gives the alarm on the approach of an enemy, by a shrill whistle, which 
may be heard at a great distance. The signal of alarm is repeated from 
one to another as far as their habitations extend. According to Mr. 
Harmon, they feed on roots and herbs, produce two young at a time, and 
sit upon their hind-feet when they give their young suck. They do not 
come abroad in the winter.” 
“ The Indians take the Whistler in traps set at the mouths of their holes, 
consider their flesh as delicious food, and, by sewing a number of their 
skins together, make good blankets.” 
Our drawing of this Marmot was made from the specimen now in the 
museum of the Zoological Society of London, which is, we believe, the only 
one, even at this day, to be found in Europe, with the exception ot a 
“hunter’s skin” (i. e., one without skull, teeth, or legs), which was pre- 
sented to the British Museum by Dr. Richardson, and was probably 
the one he refers to in the extract we have given above from the 
Fauna Boreali Americana. The specimen in the Zoological Museum is 
well preserved, the animal, which was alive when presented to the Society 
by B. King Esq., having died in the Menagerie (Zoological Gardens) 
in Regent’s Park. 
The living animal, when we observed it, seemed to be dull and sleepy. 
Its cage was strewed with grass and herbs, on which it had been 
feeding. 
